Helm is fighting a concussion. He took part in Friday's morning skate, with expectations he'd build on it Saturday. However, it's common for comebacks from concussions to be unpredictable. Ken Holland told the Free Press Helm is still considered day-to-day.

In practice, Gustav Nyquist returned to skate with David Legwand and Johan Franzen. Riley Sheahan centered Tomas Tatar and Justin Abdelkader.

The Wings remain out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture as they head into Chicago. Other injuries include Henrik Zetterberg (back), Pavel Datsyuk (knee), Joakim Andersson (foot), Tomas Jurco (ribs) and Stephen Weiss (sports hernia).

There's little Babcock can do about it.

"They're hurt, they're hurt," he said. "Helmer would have been in a week ago if it was up to me. That's why I'm not allowed to be involved in that. But getting ready for summer isn't a priority. We need guys back. So how can we get them back? Well a guy with a broken foot and broken rib, they're not coming back. The head one, you never know. We could use anybody available."

--------------------

Helene St. James writes from the Detroit Free Press, a Gannett property.